Restore Your Smile’s Natural Beauty
Living with damaged teeth can not only impact your confidence, but it can also make simple tasks like chewing or speaking a challenge. Teeth that have sustained damage or decay may also put your oral health at risk for further complications like cavities or infection. That’s why it’s important to seek dental treatment and restore your teeth’s functionality.
At River Birch Dental, Dr. Vargas is proud to offer both traditional and same-day dental crowns for your convenience. These restorations can drastically improve your smile’s health, function, and appearance in no time. Read our guide to learn how you can benefit from dental crowns.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns are customized caps placed over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its appearance and function while also protecting it from further harm. These restorations provide coverage above the gum line, helping to prevent cavities and bacterial infection.
At River Birch Dental, we offer both traditional and same-day dental crowns for patients looking to improve the health of their teeth. Both fixtures are custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of your surrounding teeth for a seamless blend. Traditional dental crowns require Dr. Vargas to send your impressions to a lab, while same-day crowns can be created and placed in just one appointment at our Centuria office.
Another key difference between the two types of crowns is their materials. Traditional crowns are made using porcelain, while same-day crowns are made using ceramic. Dr. Vargas can help you decide which treatment is best for you at your initial consultation while evaluating your overall oral health.
Benefits of Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are beneficial in preventing further, painful dental conditions. In addition, crowns offer a variety of other benefits for patients, such as:
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Customizable appearance
- Prevents cavities and further tooth damage
- Durable and long-lasting
- Preserve natural tooth structure
Reasons for Dental Crowns
There are many cases where the placement of a dental crown is necessary and beneficial. Dr. Vargas is proud to offer dental crowns as a solution for several dental issues, including:
- Repairing cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
- Replacing decayed enamel
- Enhancement of dental aesthetics
- Teeth treated with root canal therapy
- Topping off dental implants and bridges
The Dental Crown Process
Traditional Dental Crowns
You can receive traditional dental crowns in as few as two visits to our Centuria office. We’ll take several detailed impressions of the targeted tooth to be sent to a dental laboratory, where specialists will create your customized crown. In the weeks it takes to create your restoration, Dr. Vargas will place a temporary crown to ensure you have the total functionality of your smile.
Once your customized dental crown is ready, you’ll return to our Centuria office for treatment. We’ll prepare your tooth by removing any decayed tissue and shaping the surface of the enamel so the restoration fits properly. Then, we’ll remove your temporary restoration, clean the tooth, and carefully place your custom crown, securing it in place with dental cement. After your appointment is finished, you’ll leave our office ready to show off your new beautiful smile.
Same-Day Dental Crowns
If you’re looking for an easy dental crown restoration that can be completed in one swift appointment, Dr. Vargas offers CEREC (Chair-side Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic) same-day crowns. Our Centuria office is equipped with the latest CEREC® CAD/CAM technology that allows you to receive your crown in one easy, 90-minute appointment.
To begin the procedure, Dr. Vargas will administer a local anesthetic to numb the targeted tooth and surrounding areas to ensure you don’t feel a thing. She’ll then remove a small portion of enamel to make room for the custom-crafted crown.
After taking a digital impression of your mouth, Dr. Vargas will customize and mill your dental crown with our advanced CEREC machine. Once your restoration is complete, she’ll then place and cement your crown onto the treated area, allowing you to achieve a restored smile in just one day.
Dental Crown Aftercare
If you’re receiving a temporary crown procedure, it’s crucial to follow a few instructions to ensure your crown stays adhered to your tooth until your permanent restoration is ready. Along with following any guidelines given by Dr. Vargas, you should:
- Avoid sticky, chewy, and hard foods
- Chew on the opposite side of the mouth
- Floss using the slide-out method
Once you receive your permanent crown, you’ll want to:
- Wait one hour before eating
- Wait two to three hours before eating anything sticky or chewy
- Resume your regular oral hygiene routine
If you find yourself experiencing any complications or have any questions, contact our Centuria office by calling (715) 646-2161 to receive immediate assistance. One of our team members will be happy to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Placing a dental crown is virtually painless, no matter which type of crown you decide to receive. Dr. Vargas will administer a local anesthetic beforehand to ensure you don’t feel a thing while she works.
While you may experience mild discomfort when the numbness subsides, this can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and cold compresses. This discomfort is completely normal and should subside after a few days.
There are a few guidelines that you can implement into your daily routine to increase the longevity of your dental crown, such as:
- Avoiding nighttime tooth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
- Practicing good dental hygiene by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing between meals
- Refraining from biting into hard objects such as ice, hard candy, etc.
- Scheduling regular checkups and professional dental cleanings with Dr. Vargas so we can examine your crown for any signs of decay and gapping
The exact cost of your dental crown treatment will depend on several factors, such as the type of crown you receive and how many teeth are being treated. Dr. Vargas will provide you with an estimated treatment cost at your initial consultation.
We recommend contacting your dental insurance provider ahead of time to learn what your plan will cover. You can also visit our financing page to learn more about our affordable financing options. We accept treatment financing through CareCredit®, Wells Fargo Health Advantage® card, and our Dental Perks saving program. No matter your budget or insurance status, we’ll work with you to find the payment plan that’s right for your budget.